It’s always sad to deal with the passing of a loved family member. Over the last couple of weeks 3 families have had to come to terms with this loss.

LittleOdie– Loved a bath, hated a clip, attitude to the end. Words from his Mother “resthis little white curly soul”

Merlin– Proud big beautiful Weimaraner, but such a goon, very much missed by Anuka

(sadly no photos of these boys)

Rocky – Our little man Rocky – I first met young Rocky back in 2000, in my mobile hydo bath days. He so loved his bath, stand in the bath proud as punch, loving all the attention. He became, over the years so much better to clip and comb that “beard” , but when it was nail cutting time – bless, he never did mellow on that one. Even on his last bath day I was still greeted with that little tail wag. Rest his little Schnauzer soul.

The up side is all these boys lived wonderful, happy long lives and as a Groomer I get to experience a small part of these lives every week/fortnight for a precious few hours. I have my own special time with these beautiful animals, for that I am truly grateful.

This week has been full of interesting milestones for me, both old and new, but let me begin by saying, “¡Viva México, viva México, viva México!” to all my Spanish-speaking friends, because today is México’s Independence Day. I was reminded very much of this event last Thursday, as I stood on the American side of the border and revisited the place where I came across illegally over twenty years ago. It was a very emotional moment for me, remembering how I arrived, because I went back to that place on another very important anniversary. Eight years ago last Thursday, “Dog Whisperer” premiered on TV, and I saw my dreams come true. I had come to America a poor boy with only a hundred dollars on me — well, actually, a coyote (or smuggler) relieved me of that money before I came over the border. I spoke no English, and I slept under a freeway for two months until two very kind women gave me a job grooming dogs and let me sleep in the shop. And then suddenly, I’m a TV star. Well, not so suddenly. It did take fourteen years, and during those years, so many people showed such unselfish kindness to me that I never doubted such a thing as The American Dream was true. I would not be where I am today without their help and trust. When I first arrived, even if I had been the most incredible pack leader (or brain surgeon or athlete or whatever), without some people giving freely from their own good fortunes, I could have starved to death under a bridge in San Diego, and no one would have ever heard of me.

Of course, without dogs to help and so many people so passionate about them, I would not be where I am today, either — in a position to give back so much. This is another reason that my final episode of “Dog Whisperer” was so meaningful to me. I got to end the series helping someone who was where I was when I first came to America — homeless. I have also been fortunate enough that I was able to start my own Foundation to carry on the work of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming abandoned dogs, which is my way of giving back everything wonderful I have been given. Despite what some have said, nobody becomes a success entirely on their own. It took people with belief in me to help me learn English and open my first Dog Psychology Center. It took people with a vision to give me a TV show, then it took passionate fans to make that show a success through nine seasons. Countries can declare themselves independent, but people cannot, no matter how much they might think they need no one else. We, humanity, are a pack, and we all rely on each other. There is no wrong in asking for help if you need it; there is no reason to not offer help if you can. All you need to get others to believe in you is to believe in yourself first — then follow your dream and pursue your passion.

In early 2011, dog owner Nathan Laffan bought two dogs and named them Kooda and Bear.

They were purchased from a byb as ‘American Bulldog/Bull Mastiff Staffi Cross’. They were microchipped and attended the vet as ‘mastiff crosses’. When the new Victorian restricted dog legislation was publicised, Nathan contacted his local council to double check his dogs would be ok.

He went to the Moira Council offices and met with Mr Bob L’Anson, a Council law enforcement officer. They agreed Mr L’Anson would inspect the dogs the next day. After visiting the dogs at home Mr L’Anson deemed both to be ‘pit bull/mastiff crosses’.

Now, as ‘restricted breeds’ and being only seven months old at the time, it was not legally possible for Nathan to register them. The dogs were seized.

Nathan applied to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for a review of the decision to declare the dogs. The case went to court in February, five months after the dogs were taken from their home. Nathan represented himself. Council was legally represented. At the end of the hearing, Nathan asked the court for the opportunity to present further evidence, saying he hadn’t realised the process would be so formal. In April the case went back to court again. Mr Laffan’s evidence included:

A statutory declaration from Mr Michael Brown who sold the dogs (to another person who apparently on sold the dogs to Mr Laffan). Mr Brown did not give evidence at the hearing. His declaration says in part that both Kooda and Bear, who are from the same litter;

… are American bulldog/bull mastiff x staffy. The father is an American bulldog/bull mastiff and the mother is a staffy. There is no pitbull in either of the parents. Both parents have been inspected by the local state ranger and law enforcement officer and he has cleared both parents from having any pitbull in them whatsoever.

Despite this evidence that there was no ‘pit bull’ in either the mother or the father of Bear and Kooda, the Mr L’Anson, the authorised officer who declared the dogs gave evidence that he believed them to be a restricted breed. He had been employed by the council as an authorised officer since 2005 and had previous experience in seizure of dogs. He had also attended training seminars on the identification of restricted breed dogs.

The ‘not pit bull’ dogs were declared to be restricted breeds by VCAT.

The Bath Club will be closed over the Easter week end and through until 16th April. My partner and I will be on a cruise to the islands and I am so not taking my phone. However all call messages and txt messages will be attended to on my return on the Monday.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful long week end and enjoyed the beautiful weather mother nature has laid on for us. And don’t forget those early mornings are just perfect for taking the dog for a nice long walk so he/she is relaxed and calm, leaving you to enjoy your day with family and friends.

Cheers all and see you in a weeks time

P.S. this is what happens when you don’t take them for a walk and they find a feather pillow in the spare room. Lesson learned – feathers do not vacuum up very easily

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About Me

Hi Ronnie here, I am owner/operator of The Bath Club Pet Grooming Salon.My role here among many other things is to select the styling option that will make the owner and the pet happy.I like to do this without ever putting the pet at risk of injury or loss of dignity. I practice the golden rule of all professional groomers - "Humanity before Vanity."